Chapter 24: Forced Family Bliss

Taking advantage of the fading daylight, the three hurried down the mountain. By the time they reached the edge of the village, dusk had already settled.

“Let’s go to my place first and divide up the things.”

Su Yu’s house was right at the village entrance, so there was no need for a long walk or worrying about being seen. They headed straight inside.

As soon as they entered, the sound of his little sister’s crying reached them. Su Yu set down the items and went over.

“Little one, why are you crying?”

Seeing Su Yu only made her cry harder; she threw herself onto him, sobbing uncontrollably.

He hadn’t known until now, but upon asking, he was shocked to learn what had happened. After they had sent off the Huang family that afternoon, the news had spread. Naturally, his eldest uncle’s family found out too. To his astonishment, their grandmother had personally come over, taking advantage of their mother and eldest brother being out in the fields, and while his sister was alone at home, she took the pig’s head away.

When his sister tried to stop her, she was pushed to the ground and insulted as a “worthless troublemaker” before she finally left.

His little sister felt guilty for failing to protect the pig’s head, hence the prolonged crying, which seemed to have gone on for over an hour. This meant their grandmother had come at dawn.

“All right, all right, no more crying. Tonight, we’ll eat meat at home. Look, Third Brother caught a blue sheep for you. We’ll have stewed mutton tonight.”

Hearing this, Su Dayong was also quite troubled. His own family was better off because his father was the youngest son. As the saying goes, the ones most doted upon are usually the eldest or the youngest; thus, their grandmother wouldn’t come begging at his place. Though she wasn’t particularly affectionate toward them, at least she wouldn’t come to snatch things.

But the second brother’s family was a different story. Their grandfather didn’t favor them, their maternal grandmother wasn’t fond of them, but their paternal grandmother was still their direct grandmother. To come and take the pig’s head—how was one supposed to even ask for it back? Despite the family having split, she was still an elder.

Su Yu, however, couldn’t swallow this grievance. He whispered conspiratorially with Su Dayong.

After dividing the items, the three went their separate ways. That evening, Su Yu recounted everything and, paying no mind to his father’s expression, gathered Su Jin, Su Sheng, and Su Jing and headed straight to their third uncle’s house.

At third uncle’s place, Su Dayong was already explaining the situation to the family when Su Yu suddenly arrived. Without a word, third uncle retreated into his room.

“So? Are we going or not?”

Su Dayong nodded and called for Su Xiaotong. The group of six set off for their grandmother’s house.

Su Sheng, Su Yu, Su Jin, Su Jing, Su Dayong, and Su Xiaotong—all six marched directly to their grandmother’s home.

They pushed open the door and headed straight to eldest uncle’s house. Su Bin answered the door.

“What are you all doing here? What do you want at my place?”

Without a word, Su Yu pushed past Su Bin and walked inside, saying as he went, “We’re here to enjoy some family time with Grandpa and Grandma. Don’t block our way.”

The six entered the room and then went into the grandfather’s room.

Grandfather Su Boqing was a man of few words, concise and taciturn.

When the six grandchildren entered and called out “Grandpa,” Su Boqing was taken aback. The second brother’s and third brother’s families were all here—what was going on?

Grandmother Zheng Xiumei was there too. Upon seeing all the grandchildren, she was somewhat puzzled.

“What are you boys doing here so late?”

“Heh heh, Grandpa, didn’t your grandson save Old Man Huang’s life? He gave me a pig’s head and two fish as thanks. Grandma brought the pig’s head over during the day. I figured you two shouldn’t have to cook for yourselves, so we thought we’d come together since it’s been a while since we all spent time with you.”

“Big brother, why are you just standing there? Get into the kitchen and cook the pig’s head for Grandpa and Grandma to help nourish them. We don’t want outsiders saying we’re unfilial.”

Before coming, Su Yu had already explained the plan. Though it seemed absurd, Su Sheng and Su Dayong still came along, not thinking the plan was ingenious—just showing up to bolster numbers.

“All right, I’ll cook. You all keep Grandpa and Grandma company.”

Grandfather Su Boqing wasn’t one to meddle but wasn’t blind either. When the grandson sat down, he understood immediately: this must be something the boss from the second brother’s family had taken without consulting him. Usually, the second brother’s family swallowed their pride, but now his son was playing games.

Su Bin stood blocking Su Sheng’s path.

“What are you trying to do? That pig’s head belongs to my family. Why should we cook it for you?”

Grandfather Su Boqing cursed silently, thinking what a fool Su Bin was.

Sure enough, Su Yu, feeling justified, launched into a fierce tirade.

The shouting echoed so loudly the whole room couldn’t contain it.

Soon, eldest uncle and his wife came out.

“Su Yu, what are you causing a fuss at eldest uncle’s place for at this hour? When will you stop? Is this how the second brother teaches you?”

“Heh heh, eldest uncle, that’s not right. We’re one family—you can’t stop us from showing filial piety. Grandpa and Grandma are not just yours. The pig’s head was given to me by Old Man Huang as thanks for saving his life. What, you don’t like that I cooked it for them? Or is there another reason?”

These words left eldest uncle speechless but still stubbornly argued, “I’ll cook the pig’s head for Grandpa and Grandma myself. You kids don’t need to make a fuss. Go home.”

Grandmother came out to back him up, saying she was old and having so many children making a fuss gave her a headache.

“Grandma, what do you mean by that? Didn’t you feel fine when you came to my house earlier? How come you started feeling unwell as soon as you came back? Did eldest uncle say something to upset you?”

Su Yu’s sharp tongue and exaggerated expressions left no room for rebuttal.

If she really disliked them, Su Yu would have already brought third uncle’s family into it. If things escalated, only the eldest son’s family would remain on good terms. Would the other two still get along?

“All right, the kids are here. Old woman, go cook. Let the kids have their fill.”

Only Su Boqing remained indifferent. He didn’t manage the household but wasn’t foolish.

“Grandpa, are you out of your mind? Why should they eat it?”

As expected, Su Bin’s bluntness delighted Su Yu, who seized the words and retorted fiercely, his voice rising like a scolding housewife.

Before long, neighbors from all around gathered at the doorstep; the commotion was widely known.

Su Yu grew bolder, dragging Su Bin along, demanding the villagers judge the matter.

Su Bin’s simple mind couldn’t handle a few provoking words and blurted out the harsh truth.

“Su Yu, aren’t you done yet? Your grandfather already spoke. Stop picking on your eldest brother.”

“Eldest uncle, that’s not right. What do you mean I’m not done? Listen—does that sound like something a big brother should say? Eating off his brother’s efforts while treating him like dirt, acting as if it’s all owed to him. What’s that about? Owing him something?”

The villagers of Sanshui Bay gasped in unison. Was Su Yu talking about Su Bin or Su Fuguai?

Wasn’t this a thinly veiled insult? Su Fuguai was indeed living off the second brother’s family, and Su Yu’s words were ruthless.

This forced Su Boqing to step in and calm the situation.

Grandmother ceased her complaints and entered the kitchen. She had wanted to make a scene, but with so many neighbors present and Su Yu fearless in speech, if things tore apart completely, she would be at a disadvantage. So she hurried to start cooking.

“All right, your eldest brother Su Bin talks nonsense. Don’t mind him. What a scoundrel, still refuses to apologize to his brother.”

Su Bin wasn’t stupid—in fact, he was quite clever—but he was momentarily caught off guard by Su Yu’s prepared attack.

Seeing they would be eating at his house, eldest uncle’s wife couldn’t stand it anymore. She could tolerate the third brother’s family but not the second. She sprang up, complaining that the family was struggling and now being bullied.

Su Yu was not to be outdone and joined the verbal sparring. Back and forth they went, making quite a scene.

Soon, the village chief heard the commotion and rushed over. Su Boqing had lost control of the situation, but the village chief could manage.

He gave Su Yu a sharp kick, making him jump up.

The village chief had already learned the facts earlier, so there was no need for further questioning. The three sons in the Su family were all schemers, so he knew Su Yu had deliberately come to stir things up.

“Enough of this disgrace. You, boy, go home and do what you need to do.”

“No way. I came here hungry to spend family time with Grandpa and Grandma. Am I supposed to leave hungry? Wouldn’t that be an insult to them? I’m not leaving.”

“You…”

The village chief was exasperated but helpless. He’d just praised Su Yu earlier that day, and now this happened.

“Fine, then go inside, eat, and be gone quickly.”

“All right, village chief, I obey.”

Su Yu got up cheerfully, walking while calling toward the kitchen, “Grandma, don’t put too much salt. I can’t eat the pig’s head if it’s too salty. Oh, you’re putting so little meat—who’s that supposed to feed? Here, you go out and let my eldest brother come in.”